Blue Jackets fire GM Scott Howson

The Columbus Blue Jackets fired Executive Vice President and general manager Scott Howson after five-plus seasons on Tuesday, the team announced.

Columbus Blue Jackets president of Hockey Operations John Davidson made the announcement and no replacement has been named. Columbus has not had a winning season in three years and the team complied a 173-190-59 record in Howson's tenure with the team.

"Scott Howson is a caring man who gave everything he had to the Columbus Blue Jackets over the past six years,” said Davidson. “This was a difficult decision but one that I thought was in the best interest of moving our hockey club forward. I have enjoyed working with Scott and want to thank him for his service.”

Howson was hired in June 2007 and the Blue Jackets made the playoffs once in that time span. Last season, the team struggled finishing with 65 points and had the league's worst record.

This season, Columbus has a 4-7-2 record, last in the Central Division of the Western Conference and start a six-game trip Friday at Los Angeles.